Dog news: Pets can respond to 89 distinct words on average

A survey of dog owners has concluded that the average pet can respond to 89 words or phrases, with some dogs responding to 215 Life 14 December 2021 By Christa Lesté-Lasserre Dogs respond to more words than you might think Shutterstock / Prostock-studio Domestic dogs respond to 89 words and phrases, on average – including … Read more

Risso’s dolphins: Spin-dive innovation lets them reach deep water for hunting

A species of dolphin that hunts prey living 600 metres below the surface spins its body as it dives so it can drill down through the water rapidly Life 1 December 2021 By Christa Lesté-Lasserre Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) near the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean Judith Scott / Alamy Risso’s dolphins dive rapidly … Read more

Animal behaviour: Plumage colour predicts whether turkeys are bold or fearful

Domesticated turkeys in Nigeria come in a variety of colours, and those with lavender-coloured feathers are more fearful than black-feathered birds Life 10 December 2021 By Christa Lesté-Lasserre A domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) with dark plumage Graham Prentice/Alamy The feather colours of certain kinds of turkeys can predict how they cope with life on the … Read more